The Complete Guide to Part-Time Work from Home Jobs in Australia
Just a few years ago, the concept of working from home (often shortened to WFH) was foreign to most professionals in Australia. However, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which started sweeping through the world in 2020, that has changed drastically.
Every country across the globe has had to contend with spikes in COVID cases over the last couple of years, primarily by implementing mask mandates and lockdowns that required most people (with the exception of those dubbed “essential workers”) to work from home instead of going into the office.
Australia has shown a unique resilience in the wake of COVID-19, largely due to the nation’s ability to recover quickly whenever cases started to spike.
One of the primary reasons for this is that many people are able to work from home easily. Business doesn’t slow down dramatically just because cases are on the rise, and spikes are able to get controlled quickly because everyone stays home without missing work.
The latest data shows that over 40 per cent of Australians worked from home in 2021, and another study revealed that nearly 20 per cent of Australians planned to work from home even after lockdown restrictions were lifted. For reference, prior to the pandemic, only one in 20 people worked from home, so it’s obvious that attitudes have changed pretty drastically over the last two years.
These days, it’s not at all uncommon for people in a variety of professions, from banking to engineering, to work from home. Lots of employers are also posting job ads that promote online work from home jobs in Australia, too.
For those who are currently looking for work, there are plenty of part-time work from home jobs in Australia to consider. This guide breaks down the people who are most likely to benefit from remote jobs, the pros and cons of remote work, where you can find part-time WFH jobs, and which ones are the most in-demand right now.
Why Should You Consider Work from Home Jobs?
Some might argue that it’s not necessary for businesses to continue offering work from home jobs now that COVID cases are starting to decline in Australia. After all, if people can go into the office without having to worry about getting sick, why should they stay home?
In reality, there are many different groups of people who can benefit from remote work options, especially part-time WFH jobs, including the following:
Students
Australia is home to approximately 1.3 million people who are studying at higher education institutions. Furthermore, the majority of Australians aged 15 to 24 (81 per cent) report being in either full-time work, full-time study, or a combination of work and study. Ten per cent also reported part-time work or part-time study.
Clearly, a lot of students in Australia are either working or looking for work, and part-time jobs are typically more accommodating to their busy schedules than full-time jobs. This is especially true of part-time remote jobs that they can do anywhere and at any time.
Parents
Data from 2021 shows that one in 7 families in Australia are one-parent families. For single parents of either gender, it can be difficult to work full-time and care for children. This is especially true if you don’t have a lot of outside help from other family members, babysitters, etc.
For these people, a remote part-time job can provide them with a consistent income without being too demanding of their time. They also don’t have to worry about finding a daycare or babysitter for their child (or children) since they’re able to be at home with them all day.
People Who Work Multiple Jobs
If someone works full-time (which is the case for over two-thirds of Australia’s population) but still needs extra money, picking up a part-time job is a reasonable option. However, it can be hard to work a traditional part-time job (such as waiting tables or working in a retail store) around a standard full-time schedule.
This is where part-time work from home jobs come in. Working part-time from home provides additional flexibility as well as more opportunities to generate additional income.
People Who Need or Want Flexibility
Speaking of flexibility, some people simply need or want more flexibility in their lives. Perhaps they have a hobby they enjoy doing during the day and can’t participate in it regularly if they work a full-time schedule, for example, or maybe they have family responsibilities (such as caring for a sick or elderly relative) that are hard to handle while also working full-time.
People with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses
Approximately 18 per cent of Australians have a disability and approximately 47 per cent of Australians have a chronic illness.
For some people with disabilities and chronic illnesses, it is very difficult to work full-time, especially if they have to work outside of the home. They may not be able to drive, for instance, and have to rely on public transportation, or their physical limitations may make it hard for them to work for extended periods of time without breaks.
For these individuals, working part-time from home is a good alternative to traditional full-time work. It allows them to stay comfortable, work at their own pace, and still earn a decent living.
Pros and Cons of Part-Time Work from Home Jobs in Australia
As is the case with any type of job, there are pros and cons to doing part-time jobs from home in Australia. The table below breaks down some of the most important ones for job seekers to keep in mind:
Pros of Working from Home | Cons of Working from Home |
More flexibility to run errands, go to appointments, care for children, etc. | Little-to-no separation between work time and family or leisure time. |
Fewer interruptions from co-workers dropping by unannounced, surprise meetings, watercooler chitchat, etc. | Heavy reliance on electronic communication, which can lead to misinterpretation and confusion. |
No commute time or expenses. | It’s easy to get tired of seeing the same scenery day after day. |
More time spent with family members and pets. | More frequent interruptions from family members and pets if you don’t establish clear boundaries. |
Schedule flexibility that allows you to work when you’re most productive, rather than sticking to a strict 9-5 schedule. | No in-office perks (free food and drinks, team-building activities, etc.). |
How Can I Find Part-Time Work from Home Jobs in Australia?
If you would like to find part-time remote jobs in Australia, you have a few different options to consider. The following are some of the best sites for you to check out if you want to find and apply for part-time jobs that can be done from home:
GrabJobs is an easy-to-use, AI-powered, mobile-first platform. Thousands of businesses from all over the world post jobs on GrabJobs, and more than 5 million people rely on it to find openings in their desired fields.
GrabJobs is free and features a variety of part-time work from home job listings. Within a few minutes, you can create a profile and start applying for jobs without a CV. You can also use the GrabJobs resource library to learn how to write an impressive resume, practice your interview skills, and more.
SEEK is an Australia-based job search website that features listings from companies all over Australia (and the rest of the world). You can easily narrow down your search when using this platform to look for part-time remote jobs that line up with your salary needs, skill set, and educational background.
FlexJobs touts itself as the number one site for finding online work from home jobs, including part-time remote jobs that don’t require any previous experience or training. All of the opportunities featured on this site are vetted by professionals before they’re published, too, so you never have to worry about falling for a scam.
Indeed is also worth perusing if you’re looking for part-time work from home jobs. It’s easy to narrow your search based on these criteria (as well as other criteria like salary or experience requirements), and you’ll be able to find plenty of options in Australia and from companies all over the world that are looking for remote employees.
What Part-Time Work from Home Jobs Are in Demand?
Some part-time work from home jobs in Australia are in particularly high demand right now — and are expected to remain in demand for quite some time. The following are the top 14 options worth considering:
Data entry specialists are responsible for converting data into a digital format for easily accessible and permanent storage. They typically work in the administrative departments of various companies and can easily work from home — as long as they have access to a computer and a good internet connection.
In addition to collecting and entering data in a database, data entry specialists are also responsible for keeping files organized and conducting reviews to ensure accuracy.
These days, many companies allow customer service representatives to work from home all over the world. For example, the Apple At-Home Advisor position is one of the most well-known remote customer service positions.
As a remote customer service representative, you will answer phone calls, emails, and chat messages on behalf of your employer. Through these different channels, you will assist customers as they make returns and exchanges, ask questions about their products or accounts, or file complaints.
Content writers can easily work from home and create content (blog posts, marketing emails, social media posts, landing page content, etc.) for their employers.
Many content writers also work on a freelance basis and have many clients that they serve at once. This is an easily scalable profession that can be done part-time or full-time depending on the writer’s availability and financial needs.
A web developer is a professional who is proficient in coding languages like Javascript, CSS, and HTML. They write and edit the code needed to create websites, apps, software programs, and more.
Some web developers work remotely as at-home employees for one specific company, but many also work on a freelance basis and have many clients. This allows them more flexibility and lets them easily scale their work to be part-time or full-time.
If you want to work a flexible, part-time job but don’t necessarily need to be in the house at all times, a part-time job as an Uber driver might be a good alternative.
Uber drivers set their own schedules and work as independent contractors for the Uber company, picking people up and taking them to their destinations. This is a highly flexible job that’s easy to scale up or down depending on your schedule and income needs.
If you love working with kids but also want to work from home, a job as a part-time babysitter is a good choice. This is especially true if you have kids of your own and need to keep an eye on them while you work.
You can reach out to friends and family and let them know you’re looking for part-time babysitting work, or you can publish your resume on a site like Care.com and wait for potential clients to contact you.
A virtual assistant is a receptionist or personal assistant who works from home and communicates with their employer virtually. They assist with all the same tasks as an in-person assistant, including making phone calls, scheduling appointments, sending emails, filing documents.
Lots of virtual assistants work from home part-time, and many of them are able to set their own schedules as well.
A bookkeeper is a finance professional who helps businesses balance their books, keep track of expenses and incoming funds, and prepare tax filing documents.
Many bookkeepers work part-time or on a freelance basis. Lots of them are able to work from home, too, as long as they have a computer, the appropriate software, and a strong internet connection.
Australia is one of the most multilingual English-speaking countries in the world, and it was the first to create an official multilingual language policy. Because so many different languages are spoken here, it’s understandable that there’s also a need for translators.
Many translators work from home or on a freelance basis, translating written documents or audio files for their clients.
If you are an expert in a particular subject, why not share that knowledge with others who are struggling? As a part-time, remote tutor, you can assist students of all ages virtually with a wide range of tasks, from test prep to completing homework assignments.
Agencies like The Tutoring Company are great ones to check out if you want to start tutoring from home but don’t want to start your own business from the ground up.
For those who have extensive knowledge of the English language and a strong writing background, a job as a part-time editor might be a good option.
Editors review written documents to ensure they are error-free, easily understandable, and work for the writer’s target audience. They may work part-time for one specific company, or they may be freelancers.
Transcriptionists listen to voice recordings and then convert what they hear into written documents. They are often responsible for transcribing recordings of very sensitive recordings, including legal and medical recordings, so a great deal of precision is required.
This job can easily be done from home, as long as you have access to a computer and a good pair of headphones.
Graphic designers are highly creative individuals who are responsible for conceptualizing and designing all kinds of images, from logos to website graphics.
Many designers are able to work from home on a freelance basis and develop their skills on their own time. This is an especially good way for students to gain experience and build their portfolios, which can help them find better full-time work in the future.
If you love animals, why not look for part-time work as a pet sitter?
Pet sitting is an important service that gives people peace of mind knowing that their furry friends are safe while they work long hours or travel. You can open your own home up to other people’s dogs and cats, or you can go to their homes and check in on their pets throughout the day as your schedule allows.
Don’t want to start your own business from scratch? Consider signing up through a service like Mad Paws to buildi your clientele today.
Apply for Part-Time Work from Home Jobs in Australia Today
Are you ready to find and apply for part-time work from home jobs in Australia? Keep the information discussed in this guide in mind, and don’t forget to check out our other guide to online work from home jobs in Australia for more information.
If you want to start applying today, create a GrabJobs profile and benign searching for jobs that align with your needs and goals in no time. It’s free and easy to do!
